THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Environment Canada is warning drivers to be prepared to face winter driving conditions on some of the mountain passes in the southern Interior this afternoon and overnight.

A snowfall warning is in effect for the Coquihalla Highway from Merritt to Hope, and on Highway 3, Princeton to Hope via the Allison Pass and from the Paulson Summit to the Kootenay Pass.

Forecasters say a low-pressure system will move across southern B.C. today, dumping between 15 to 25 centimetres of snow in the high elevation passes. The heaviest snow will fall this evening, March 13, and overnight before is eases Monday morning.

The warning reminds drivers to prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.

“Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow,” the warning says. “Weather in the mountains can change suddenly resulting in hazardous driving conditions.”

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